Day 13

Never thought I'd even make it this far on the FitFat40 challenge. If you have no clue what I'm talking about, then read my last post and it will catch you up. A few things have kept me going like the community that has been established. Doing a challenge like this with a bunch of people keeps the momentum up. I probably would have failed otherwise. We are all in this together and I even think it has allowed me to get to know more people because FitFat40 is certainly something to chat about. My partner for the challenge is Brittany, another staff spouse and it's been fun to encourage one another. Not going to lie, we also share our struggles which for me goes something like this..."IF I HAVE TO EAT ANOTHER SALAD..." or "I WANT SWEEEEEETS."

But I don't say or tell you those things for pity. I don't want this to be treated like a diet. Diets are temporary. I want to do this so that I can ultimately change my mindset about what I put in my body. I'm realizing my life has been all about convenience. If I'm hungry, I go get whatever can feel that void fast. So when I'm blurting the salad remarks, it's mostly because I don't feel like preparing food myself. Finding quality "fast" food is tough other than salads but I'm learning to really search over menus and ask ingredient questions to find the best option.

This challenge has forced me to get creative with cooking. My favorite meal so far has been the Philly cheesesteaks I made. Everyone needs to try this recipe...so good!

Photo Credit

I've also been educating myself on nutrition. In the midst of all this, I have discovered that I think I have a gluten intolerance. You see, before this challenge, my stomach ached 80% of the time. So painful that most of those times I would just have to go to bed and sleep it off. I'm 13 days into this challenge and I've been pain free. For years I thought it was a dairy intolerance but I've had a ton of dairy the past 13 days and no pain. Therefore, since I've cut grains completely, I'm thinking it has something to do with the grains. When I do bring grains back into my diet, I'm going to make every effort to go gluten free. I'd much rather do that then deal with being "sick" all the time again.

My next adventure is to start juicing. My cousin does it all the time and talks about all the benefits. I'm feeling like I need even more veggies in me and that will be the fastest way to get them. Any suggestions on juicers or recipes?

This saying is so true....

Have any of you cut out certain foods or are eating more naturally? I'd love to hear the benefits you have experienced and get encouragement/support. I challenge all my friends to try eating more naturally for a week and see how you feel. I never thought I would say this but I feel SO great. One of my favorite blogs is 100 Days of Real Food because she does such a great job educating you on reading labels and such. 

So what do you think...can you go a day without sugar? Grains? Try it ;)

-Sara

{Made to Crave}

Can you believe we still haven't started our semester? Usually we are already back in the groove of things by this time of year but for some reason we don't start until January 17th. This will bring my total break of time off of school/work at almost 6 weeks! No complaints here except maybe no working means no steady paycheck so that stinks. However, I have enjoyed using this time to balance some important aspects of life (quiet times, healthy eating, working out) before life is gets super busy with grad school. Also, I have enjoyed watching The Today Show every morning with my breakfast and staying in my PJ's until at least noon. Sadly that must end on Tuesday when I go back to work on campus but in the meantime I'm livin' it up.

My Fitness Pal goals are going great!! I've stuck to the plan now for 8 days. I've managed to go to Chilis, Chick-fil-a and have guests over which included dessert without busting my daily calorie intake. Did I have to make big sacrifices? Yes of course, but my everyday lifestyle is still pretty normal which is so important to me. What isn't normal is my mentality on food. I no longer live to eat, I eat to live. I've been reading the book, Made to Crave, and it has really helped me process these thoughts from a biblical point of view. I was made for more. 

I also watched a live webcast by this author that featured a nutritionist that suggest taking fish oil. Anyone else take fish oil? I'm nervous I'll have fish burps. Anyway, I'm training my brain slowly but surely to put good things in my body, eat in moderation and just say no. Right now I'm tracking my calories and exercising with My Fitness Pal. I can really see and feel a difference! We can even be buds via the app so look me up, my username is: saradavis528.

Have a great day!

-Sara 

Couch to 5K

Yup, who would have ever thought this girl would start running?! Well I can't toot my own horn too loudly just yet because I've only completed day one of the Couch to 5K program. The point is, running is something I've always avoided like a disease yet I'm always envious of runners. How messed up are those thoughts?!

I just want to at least try. I may totally bomb the idea (I do have semi-weak knees) but I actually completed workout number one with no cheating and I felt so good about it.

Find the complete workout by clicking here

I realize running in a 5K isn't much but it is a small goal of mine that I'd love to say I did. Plus, I've had it on the list for a while now so I'd love to check that bad boy off! Right now I'm  going to try to do a M,W,F running schedule and do some upper body toning on my off days. Maybe by actually writing on this ol' blog, it will inspire me to keep it up. We shall see how Wednesday goes. I promise to be real with you folks and let you know how it is going!


Who wants to give it a shot with me? Who has tried it before? Any encouragement or advice?


Cheers,
Sara